Heat deflector for sanctuary lamps



..I- C. MEUNIER HEAT DEFLECTOR FOR SANCTUARY LAMPS Filed May 21, 1956 INVENTOR. JvC. MEumEE Nov. 12, 1957 ilflltfffff/IIIIIIIIf!!!I/Ifllllflffflflllf/II United States This invention relates to improvements in candles, and more particularly, but not by Way of limitation, to a heat deflector for facilitating the burning of relatively large sanctuary candles, or memorial candles utilized on graves, or the like.

Many church sanctuaries and cemeteries utilize relatively large candles disposed within a glass or plastic container which. are designed for burning continuously for an extended period of time. It is usually necessary to provide a cap member or hood at the top of the container to deflect the heat from the burning wick downwardly to the surface of the Wax candle within the container to assure an eflicient melting of the wax. Thus, as the wick burns downwardly in the container, the candle Wax will melt and dissolve to provide for a continuous burning of the lamp. As the candle burns down within the container, however, the distance between the burning Wick and the hood member becomes so great that the heat from the wick is not sufliciently deflected to the surface of the candle for proper melting. and dissolving thereof particularly when the candles are used outside during cold weather conditions. When this occurs, the wick burns down toward the surface. of the wax and drowns in the melted Wax accumulated thereon, whereby the burning candle is extinguished.

The present invention contemplates a novel heat. deflector member adapted for disposition within the wax body of the candle. The wick extends longitudinally throughout the length of the candleand through the heat deflector. The heat of the burning wick is usually suflicienltly deflected downwardly by the upper hood member until such a time that the Wick has burned to a position below the embedded heat deflector member. When this has occurred, the embedded heat deflector functions to deflect the heat from the burning wick downwardly to the surface of the wax for efliciently burning the candle throughout the entire length thereof. Thus, the efliciency of the burning of the candle is greatly improved.

Many large candles of the type utilized in sanctuaries, or the like, are molded directly within. the container, and are thus an integral part thereof. The novel heat deflector of the invention may be assembled and secured Within the container inthis type of candle prior to molding the candle therein. In thismanner, the heat deflector serves a two-fold purpose for anchoring the wax within the container; as Well as providing for an eflicient burning of the candle. The" anchoring of the" wax is especially important during hot weather conditions, or the like, wherein the outer periphery of the wax may melt slightly to provide an oily film adjacent the inner periphery of the container, thereby permitting the wax portion to slip from the container when the container is inverted for any reason, causing serious damage to the lamp.

Many other types of sanctuary candles, however, are molded prior to insertion thereof within the container to provide a refill candle for a permanent container. In

'atcnt i nice this instance, the heat deflector member is molded within the wax portion itself and is not secured to the container. Thus, the container may be used many times by replacing a new candle portion therein upon expiration of the old wax portion. It is also anticipated that any desired number of heat deflector members may be longitudinally spaced within the candle to assure a complete burning or. the candle.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a heat deflector for embedding within a relatively large candle whereby the heat from the burning wick will be deflected to the surface of the candle throughout the entire length thereof to assure a complete burning of the candle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a heat deflector for embedding within a relatively large candle whereby the wax portion of the candle is securely anchored within the container to preclude accidental loss of the wax from the container.

.It is still another object of this invention to provide a heat deflector for embedding within a relatively large candle which is simple and efiicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evidentfrom the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view of a candle in a container provided with the novel heat deflector member of the invention embedded therein, and having a portion of the candle broken away for purposes of illustration.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the novel heat deflector member shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view of a candle provided with a modified heat deflector member embedded therein, and having a portion of the candle broken away for purposes of illustration.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the modified heat deflector shown in'Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 (Fig. 1) generally indicates a relatively large sanctuary lamp, or the like, comprising: a substantially cylindrical container 12 Which is filled with a wax portion or candle member 14. A Wick member 16 is disposed within the wax portion and extends longitudinally throughout the length thereof. The wick 16 is suitably secured at one end to an apertured disc member 18 which provides a bottom for the container 12. The opposite end of the wick 16 projects above the wax portion 14 as clearly shown in Fig. l. The container 12 is preferably made of a substantially transparent glass or plastic material in order that the burning of the wick therein may be seen from the exterior of the lamp" 10,. thereby providing an atmosphere of q'uietude and religious influence;

A heat deflector member 20 constructed of a noninflammable material is secured within the container 12 in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth. The deflector member 20 comprises an annular ring member 22 supported by a plurality of downwardly extending leg members 24, preferably two diametrically opposed as shown herein. The lower end of each of the leg members" 24 is provided with an outwardly extending flange member 26. The flange members 26 are interposed between the cylinder 12 and the bottom plate 18 thereof as shown in Fig. 1, and the bottom plate 1 81's then cemented, or the like, to the lower end of the cylinder 12. In this manner, the heat deflector member 20 is securely held within the cylinder 12. The annular ring member 22 is preferably provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 28 for assuring an adequate circulation of air around the wick 16 for an eflicient burning thereof during utilization of the lamp 10.

The heat deflector member is secured within the container 12 prior to filling thereof with the wax 14, and the wick member extends upwardly through the central aperture of the annular plate member 22. The heat deflector is embedded within the wax portion 14, and thereby securely anchors the candle portion within the container as well as assures an eflicient melting and dissolving of the wax throughout the length thereof. It will be apparent that any desired number of longitudinally spaced annular plate members similar to the member 22 may be provided for the heat deflector 20 in order to assure an eflicient burning of the entire candle portion 14, as will be hereinafter set forth.

When the lamp 10 is filled with the wax 14, as shown in Fig. l, the wick member 16 extendsslightly upwardly therefrom as clearly shown in the drawing. The wick may be lighted in any Well known manner, such as by a match or the like (not shown). A hood member (not shown) is normally spaced slightly above the cylinder member 12 in order to deflect the heat from the burning wick downwardly onto'. the top surface 32 of the candle portion 14. This deflected heat maintains the surface 32 sufliciently melted to dissolve the wax 14 as the flame of the wick burns downwardly within the container 12. Thus, the surface 32 moves downwardly within the container 12 in a direction away from the hood member upon the burning of the wick 16. When the surface 32 has lowered sufliciently within the container 12, the hood will no longer be able to deflect the heat from the burning wick for adequately melting the wax 14. The annular ring 22 of the deflector member 20 is so disposed within the cylinder 12 that the surface 32 of the wax 14 will be disposed slightly below the ring 22 when the hood becomes ineffective for deflecting the heat of the burning wick 16. Thus the ring member 22 will then deflect the heat from the wick 16 downwardly onto the surface 32 for melting and dissolving of the wax 14. In this manner, the entire candle portion 14 will melt and dissolve to provide a lamp 10 which will burn continuously for an extended length of time, until substantially all of the wax 14 has been melted and dissolved.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a candle 34 of cylindrical configuration is molded in any suitable well known manner (not shown) with a non-inflammable heat deflector 36 embedded therein. The heat deflector member 36 is a modification of the preferred embodiment and is particularly designed for utilization with a refill type of candle for permanent candle containers (not shown). The deflector 36 comprises an annular apertured ring member 38 similar to the ring member 22 of the preferred embodiment. The ring member 38 is supported by a plurality of downwardly extending leg members 40, preferably two diametrically disposed as shown in Fig. 4. The leg members 40 are an integral part of a diametrically disposed brace member 42. The brace member 42 is provided with a centrally disposed enlarged apertured portion 44 for receiving a candle wick member 46. The wick 46 is secured to the portion 44 and extends upwardly through the annular ring 38 and throughout the length of the candle member 34. The candle member 34, having the heat deflector member 36 embedded therein, may be disposed within any suitable container (not shown) to provide a sanctuary lamp, or the like. The deflector member 36 functions in a similar manner as the deflector member 20 for assuring an efl'lcient burning of the entire candle 34. Thus, a continuous burning of the candle 34 throughout an extended length of time may be attained.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel means for assuring a complete and efiicient burning of a relatively large candle. The novel heat deflector member of the invention may be secured within a lamp container prior to molding the candle portion therein to serve a dual purpose. The deflector member will not only deflect the heat of the burning wick downwardly to the surface of the wax candle for melting and dissolving thereof, but will also anchor the wax portion securely within the container to preclude accidental loss of the candle portion therefrom, particularly during hot weather conditions, or the like. The heat deflector may also be utilized with a refill type of candle wherein the deflector member is embedded within the candle prior to insertion thereof within a container. This is of particular advantage for utilization with permanent containers wherein it is desired to replace the used candle portion with a new candle member. The novel heat deflector members of the invention are simple and efficient in usage, and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A heat deflector member for embedding within a candle, and comprising an annular ring member for deflecting heat to the candle, leg members for supporting the ring member, a brace member extending between the leg members, an apertured member centrally disposed on the brace member for receiving a wick member, and apertures provided on the ring member for adequate circulation of air around the wick member for eflicient burning thereof.

2. In a candle molded within a cylindrical container and having a wick extending longitudinally therethrough, means embedded within the candle for deflecting heat from the wick to the upper surface of the candle as the candle burns down within the container, said means comprising an annular ring member disposed substantially medial the length of the candle, support members secured to the'ring member, said annular ring member provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for facilitating the flow of heat therearound.

3. A heat deflector member embedded within a candle, and comprising an annular ring member disposed substantially medial the length of the candle, a pair of diametrically opposed support members secured to the ring member, a diametrical brace member extending between the support members and spaced from the ring member, said brace member provided with a central aperture for receiving a wick member, said wick member extending longitudinally through the annular ring and throughout the length of the candle, said ring member provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for facilitating the flow of heat therearound during burning of the wick below the disposition of the ring member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,623 Root Oct. 18, 1932 756,322 Boersig Apr. 5, 1904 FOREIGN PATENTS 311,126 Germany Feb. 26, 1919 

